The inverse of a non-square matrix is a dangerous thing.
Source: tatoeba (396116)
Inverse
/ɪnˈvɝs/
Synonyms for "inverse" (120 found)
Ranked by relevance and common usage.
Closest matches (24)
Noun(2 words)
oppositeadditive inverse
adversativeadverseadversiveantagonisticantiantipatheticantipodalantipodeantipodesantipoleantithesisantitheticantitheticalantonymantonymousat cross purposesat cross-purposesbalancingchangeclashing
Show 1 more word
Adjective(1 words)
Strong matches (36)
Noun(2 words)
compositional inversecontrary
conflictingconfrontingcontracontradictorycontradistinctcontrapositivecontrariouscontrarycontrastedconverseconvertcountercounterbalancecounterbalancingcountercheckcounterpointcounterpoisecounterpoisedcounterpolecounterterm
Show 13 more words
countervailingdead againstdiscordantdiscrepanteyeball to eyeballeyeball-to-eyeballfacingflip sidefoilheadshostileinconsistentinimical
Verb(1 words)
Related words (60)
Noun(16 words)
inverse curveinverse functioninverse pointinverse proportionalityinversely relatedmultiplicative inversenegated conditionalnegationopposedopposite conditionalreciprocalreciprocalsreversalreversereversedundoing function
Adjective(1 words)
Choosing the right synonym
- Closest matches in this entry: opposite, additive inverse, adversative, adverse, adversive.
- Sentence evidence is available for inverse, so synonym choice can be checked against real usage rather than a flat word list.
- Ranking signals come from wordnet, opengloss, wiktionary, moby, and related lexical sources.
Synonym selection checklist
- Match the part of speech before comparing meanings.
- Check whether the synonym changes intensity, formality, or emotional tone.
- Read the replacement inside the full sentence, not just beside "inverse".
- Prefer the clearest word over the most unusual word when writing for speed or comprehension.
When not to replace "inverse"
Keep "inverse" when the sentence already sounds natural, when a synonym would add unintended emphasis, or when readers need the most familiar wording. A synonym should clarify or sharpen the message, not simply make the sentence look more varied.
If two options seem close, choose the one that best matches the audience and purpose of the sentence.
Replacement workflow
1. Preserve meaning
Choose a synonym only if it keeps the core idea of "inverse" intact in the sentence you are editing.
2. Tune tone
Check whether the replacement sounds more formal, casual, emotional, technical, or forceful than the original word.
3. Re-read context
Read the full sentence after the swap. Keep the synonym only when the sentence becomes clearer or more precise.
Review note: Synonym lists are ranked with lexical data and reviewed for practical writing value. Use the comparison notes, sentence evidence, and source labels together; a high-ranking synonym can still be wrong when the audience, register, or grammar changes.
Final fit check
After choosing a replacement for "inverse", read the sentence once for meaning and once for rhythm. The best synonym should feel natural in the full sentence, not only accurate in a word list.
If the synonym makes the sentence slower, vaguer, or more dramatic than intended, keep "inverse" or choose a simpler alternative from the closest-match group.
Related word relations
OpenGloss and ConceptNet supply richer edges like generalizations, collocations, and derivations.
More general
14 entriesconceptconditionalfunctionlinguistic termlogic formmappingmathematical relationmathematical termoppositenessoppositionproportionalityrelationrelational adjectiverelational term
More specific
13 entriesadditive inversecounterclockwiseinverse functioninverse matrixinverse operationinverse proportioninverse relationinverse relationshipinverse square lawmultiplicative inverseoppositereverseupside-down
Collocations
11 entriesadditive inverseinverse functioninverse imageinverse matrixinverse probleminverse proportioninverse relationinversely relatedinversion symmetrymatrix inversemultiplicative inverse
Inflections
3 entriesDerivations
5 entriesAntonyms
1 entriessimilar
2 entriesTranslations
10 translations across 5 languages.
Bulgarian
2 entries- противоположност noun (opposite of a given due to contrary effects or nature)
- реципрочно число noun (math: element)
Chinese Mandarin
1 entries- 逆元 noun (math: element)
Dutch
4 entries- inverse noun (math: element)
- tegendeel noun (opposite of a given due to contrary effects or nature)
- tegengestelde noun (opposite of a given due to contrary effects or nature)
- tegenovergestelde noun (opposite of a given due to contrary effects or nature)
Finnish
2 entries- käänteisarvo noun (math: element)
- vastakohta noun (opposite of a given due to contrary effects or nature)
Hindi
1 entries- प्रतिलोम noun (math: element)
Sample sentences
19 total sentences available.
The derivatives of the inverse trigonometric functions are algebraic.
Source: tatoeba (1987885)
The fact that most criminals belong to a certain group does not imply that most members of that group are criminals. To claim that it does is to commit the inverse fallacy.
Source: tatoeba (6483247)
Correction. It's the inverse.
Source: tatoeba (6634455)
Showing 4 of 19 available sentences.
Common questions
What are the closest synonyms for "inverse"?
Closest matches include opposite, additive inverse, adversative, adverse, adversive.
How should I check whether a synonym fits "inverse"?
Compare the replacement against real sentence context. This entry includes sample sentences so you can check tone, grammar, and meaning before swapping words.